Demons Like It Hot (Demons Unleashed #2)(83)

He decided it was best to let Serah know his thoughts. “I have concerns about Daniel. I’ve heard about this before. Humans who have been influenced by the Infernati.”

“So he’s a minion?”

“Worse. Minions know the Infernati to be evil and join anyway. There are others who are led astray by lies and trickery. They’ve been taught that the Paladins are the problem and the Infernati are the ones doing the world good.” He clenched his fists. In a way, he’d been tricked the same way. Unfortunately for Salome, that plan had backfired. He never fully joined their sick and twisted cause.

“They genuinely believe they are doing the right thing.” Matthias ground his teeth. He truly hated what the Infernati had done to humans. More than ever. Especially what they were trying to do to Serah. But for some reason, even Daniel’s situation frustrated him. And he didn’t know why.

Then again, he was a Paladin now. That’s why. He was one of the good guys now—of course he’d take things more personally.

“Everything okay?”

Matthias nodded. “Sorry. It’s my first mission with the Paladins, so I guess I’m taking it a little personally.”

“Makes complete sense, actually.” Serah smiled. “I’ve noticed one thing about working with the Paladins. You all tend to take missions very personally.”

What did that mean? Then again, they had sex. You couldn’t get any more personal than that. But even Serah had said it was just sex. And he saw how she interacted with Daniel. He wanted her to act that way with him, damn it.

“We are dedicated to our cause. Is that so wrong?”

“Not in the least.” A cold blast of air swung the door open. “Looks like Rafe’s here.”

Matthias nodded. “Why don’t you go catch a quick shower and get cleaned up?” He brushed a tomato chunk from her hair. “And I was starting to get excited about that casserole too. Leave it to the Infernati to ruin my supper.”

“I’ll make it up to you, I promise.” With that, Serah pushed open a door in the far corner of the room. If only he could join her and make it up to her.

With a deep sigh of regret, Matthias strode out of the makeshift bedroom. Rafe stood in the kitchen with arms crossed, his glare penetrating. “What the hell happened here?”

“A demon got in, that’s what.”

Rafe nodded. “Marinara sauce? The Infernati get more creative as the days pass by. Has Kalli been notified?”

“Yes.” Matthias snickered. “As have Farquhar and his playmate.”

Rafe grabbed Matthias by the collar of his shirt. “How did this happen?”

“It wasn’t me.”

“Why would I think it was you?”

“I don’t know. Maybe the way you are grabbing my shirt and glaring at me?”

“Oh, sorry.” Rafe let go of the shirt and straightened the collar. “She’s Lucy’s friend, and I have yet to trust you completely.”

“With reason.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I’m surprised that Serah hasn’t told Lucy or you yet.”

“Told us what?”

Matthias knew he should tell Rafe. Of all the Paladins, he should understand. After all, he’d had his own share of familial issues. “The assassin who kidnapped Serah?”

“You know who it was?”

Matthias nodded. “I do.”

“Who?”

“It was me.”

“I knew I couldn’t trust you.” Rafael gritted his teeth and with the swiftness only a demon could possess, he plowed his fist into Matthias’s jaw.

Matthias reeled backwards. He would not retaliate. He would not fight back. After all, he deserved the beat-down Rafael was sure to give him.

Rafael swung again, this time catching him in the eye. “Why aren’t you fighting back?”

“I deserve it.”

Rafael growled and slammed him in the gut. “You better start explaining yourself, or I’ll send you back to the Council, one piece at a time.”

“I’d like an explanation too.”

Lucy stood there, hands on her waist. Her amber eyes flickered. “And why is there spaghetti sauce splattered across the walls? Did Serah lose control of her powers again?” She took a deep whiff of the air in the kitchen. “Never mind an explanation. I need a big explanation.”

“Someone invited a demon in.” Rafe tossed a sidelong glance toward Matthias.

“Who?”

“Not me,” Matthias murmured. “I care for… this mission. For the first time I feel alive. Free.”

“Why don’t you tell Lucy what else you did? She will find it as interesting as I did.”

A deep scowl furrowed Lucy’s brow. “What did you do?”

They weren’t making this easy for him. Then again, he didn’t deserve easy. “I was the one who kidnapped Serah.”

“You did what?” Lucy’s eyes flamed. “Fucking priceless. The Fore-Demons really messed up this time. Everything they do, they do for a reason? I’d really like to know their reasoning for this.”

“I truly do not know,” Rafael replied, crashing into one of the barstools. “But I told Matthias he could explain.”